Donnelly: Kanrocksas Lineup Skews Electronic

As Hearne pointed out, there’s really no big-big established headliner. Not a single one, unless you count… uh … The Avett Brothers? But that’s not necessarily a bad thing to me.

It might be a bad thing though, for the pocketbooks of Kanrocksas promoter Bill Brandmeyer and his partners.

After taking a major bath two years ago with mega-headliners Eminem and Muse (an estimated 2.8 million in artists fees for the pair), Kanrocksas changed course this year and is focusing instead on up and coming acts.

“One night you’re going to get fun. and the next you’re going to get Tiesto,” Brandmeyer said on 810 Sports’ Border Patrol this morning.

Now, I don’t claim to be an electronic music aficionado, and to be honest I don’t particularly care for most of the bleeps and bloops scene. (Sure, I’ll take a fleep here and there.) But I am a music junkie nevertheless, so the fact that prior to Kanrocksas I’d never even heard of Tiesto is a little odd.

Maybe that’s on me, but just take that for what it’s worth.

If you want to know where I’m coming from, here are the artists I’m most excited to see at this year’s fest: MGMT, Imagine Dragons, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Son Volt, Yeasayer, Kendrick Lamar, Family of the Year, SAVOY, Empires, and twenty one pilots.

That said, a large chunk of the lineup is comprised of electronic acts (Pretty Lights, Zeds Dead, Baauer, Rusko, Crookers, Borgore, Grimes, A Trak, Flosstradamus, Hopsin, Clockwork, Mimosa, The Knocks, Congorock, SAVOY, Destructo, Manufactured Superstars, Anna Lunoe, and Lowriderz), which will probably skew the demo of this year’s throwdown a bit younger than it was in 2011.

Perhaps this strategic move will draw in more of the destination festival-goers, willing to drive 5 or 8 hours to get to a music fest.

This morning, Brandmeyer was certainly eager to hype that segment of the talent. “Nationally, when people look at our electronic lineup, they think it’s second to none. I mean, have you seen any of these Harlem Shake videos?” he asked, referring to Kanrocksas performer Baauer, the East Coast DJ whose song started that whole internet fad.

Yes, we have. And it’s already kind of old hat. When KU basketball coach Bill Self is in one of the most-hit Harlem Shake videos IN THE WORLD, that might be a sign.

But the problem for the destination crowd is that the Speedway is simply not a great place to camp, at least not in a tent – no shade, long hikes to and from the stage areas. If you’re RVing it, sure, knock yourself out. But most of the RV crowd are the older folks with money, not the young broke kids who love electronic dance music.

Plus, as of right now, no single day tickets are being offered, though I’m sure they will be at some point. When a majority of your attendees are coming from the KC metro, I just don’t see enough people willing to plunk down $200 for a weekend, when they can pick the best night and just go to that instead, then go home to their own bed.

The electronic stuff doesn’t really do much for me. Although I really do like stuff like MGMT which incorporates some electronic and dance stuff. But most of the electronic stuff is like most rap and country music, there is about 5% of it that is original and quality, and the rest is derivative bullshit and just terrible.

My theory on why so much electronic, other than its increase in popularity, I am guessing that the even is so electronic heavy because its cheaper to book the acts. I mean essentially, they just push play on a laptop. Not much changes between acts, so you can have your “electronic” stage and not have to have a ton of people working it. Most electronic acts are just DJ’s with a laptop, so the money going to the artist isn’t being split four or more ways between band members, so they probably are willing to charge less to the event owners.

Matthew, if you had never heard of Tiesto then you aren’t really a fan of electronic music. Think Paul Oakenfold’s popularity in 2002. He’s probably in the top 3 biggest DJs in the world right now.

I agree with your point about the speedway camping. It is going to be fucking brutal for these kids. I’m an old man at heart so I may just skip this one but DJ Tiesto among 75,000 people may be really, really cool. Single day tickets will be a must.

There will be probably a few heat and drug related deaths though as this is essentially a rave in late June.

Matthew, if you had never heard of Tiesto then you aren’t really a fan of electronic music. Think Paul Oakenfold’s popularity in 2002. He’s probably in the top 3 biggest DJs in the world right now.

I agree with your point about the speedway camping. It is going to be fucking brutal for these kids. I’m an old man at heart so I may just skip this one but DJ Tiesto among 75,000 people may be really, really cool. Single day tickets will be a must.

There will be probably a few heat and drug related deaths though as this is essentially a rave in late June.

You would be shocked what these electronic acts are bringing in, as in big crowds and big cash$$$. Even though Skrillex is not going to be at Kanrocksas he makes 75K a night pushing play, Passion Pit and Pretty Lights bring in the 20 something crowd the festival wants.

Look at the Bonaroo lineup this year, arguably the biggest and most known summer festival and it leans heavy on Electronic. Yes Tom Petty and Paul McCartney are headlining the shows but EDM is heavily featured.

I hope the festival does well, its put on by a LOCAL BUSINESS PERSON, everyone In KC needs to stop bashing and show the support we are known for.

Electronic acts in my book are for the most part good. Electronic music is same as all other music in there is some that’s good and some that isn’t. I myself go all the way back to Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream to Wendy Carlos doing Switched On Bach in mid-60’s. Edgar Froese who founded Tangerine Dream is still very active with Dream and as a solo artist today app 45 years later in electronic music.

Electronic is a style of music that isn’t every ones cup of tea but then I dislike country music with a passion and it’s the only music out of all the different styles that I dislike.

I agree they will have to do single day tickets or crash and burn big time. Lots of people my age love a lot of the music but not going to want to try and do two long solid days of it, just too many other commitments in our lives.